GENEVA: Volker Turk, the UN’s high commissioner for human rights, described the Gaza crisis as a “powder keg” that could explode into wider violence in the Middle East on Monday.
Turk stated that taking all necessary precautions to prevent a more widespread conflict was essential.
During his worldwide briefing to the UN Human Rights Council, he stated, “The war in Gaza has already generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries.”
“I am extremely worried that any spark in this powder keg could start a much larger fire.” This would affect all of the Middle Eastern countries as well as many others.
The US vice president asks Israel to make sure aid reaches Gaza in unusually forceful terms.
He claimed that the “spectre of spillover very real” because of overlapping emergencies.
Turk expressed concern at the “extremely worrying” military escalation between Israel, Hezbollah, and other armed groups in southern Lebanon.
Nearly 200 people have died and about 90,000 people had been internally displaced in Lebanon, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Important infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, also sustained significant damage.
Turk stated, “Complete investigations are necessary into incidents where civilians—including children, paramedics, and journalists—have been killed in attacks.”
“We must take all necessary precautions to prevent a larger conflict.”
Harris criticizes Israel
US Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Israel for not delivering enough help to Gaza and demanded that the planned six-week truce be accepted.
Harris used unusually forceful rhetoric when urging Israel to take action to boost supplies going to Gaza.
At a speech on Sunday in Selma, Alabama, Harris stated, “Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table.”
In order to greatly boost the flow of aid, the Israeli government needs to take further action. Not one excuse, Harris declared.
She went on to say that Israel “must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid” and “must open new border crossings.”
As pressure mounts on President Joe Biden for his backing of Israel as the number of civilian deaths in Gaza continues to rise, her remarks were the sharpest yet from a US administration official regarding Israel.
According to a top US official, Israel has mostly agreed to the proposal, which calls for a six-week stop to hostilities in exchange for Hamas releasing “the most vulnerable prisoners” that it is holding.
Thirty-one of the 130 captives that the Israeli army claims are still in Gaza are thought to be dead.
The vice president of the United States urged Hamas to agree to the proposed truce. “Hamas says it’s in favor of a cease-fire. A deal is, in fact, on the table. Furthermore, Hamas must accept that agreement, as we have stated.
The Israeli bombing of Palestinians last week near a convoy of charity vehicles was denounced by Kamala Harris.
Harris declared, “Too many innocent Palestinians have died.”
“Our hearts break for the victims of that horrific tragedy,” Harris said, adding, “people simply trying to secure food for their families after weeks of nearly no aid reaching northern Gaza… were met with gunfire and chaos.”
At the base of Edmund Pettus Bridge, where police brutally put down a peaceful protest by hundreds of people on March 7, 1965, Harris made her speech.
This week, she has an appointment in Washington with Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s emergency cabinet.
A White House spokesman stated on Sunday, “The vice president’s meeting is part of our continued efforts to engage with a wide range of Israeli officials on the war in Gaza and planning for the day after.”
Along with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the former head of the Israeli military and longtime opponent of Blinken will also meet with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blink for help
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pleaded with all parties to make sure that the beleaguered people of the Gaza Strip receive relief as quickly as possible.
Blinken commented on X, “We must increase the flow of aid into Gaza to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.”
“People desperately need more food, water, and other assistance,” he continued. Because of this, the US is attempting to increase help through all avenues, including air drops. These got underway on Saturday.
